Join us for the Parent Connection Workshop “From Facebook to Checkbook: What Every Parent Needs to Know about Information Security in a Digital Age,” featuring UNM Information Assurance Director Michael Carr. The event is on Wednesday, June 3, from 6 – 7 p.m. in the Dean of Students Conference Room, second floor of the Student Services Center, main campus. Check‐in begins at 5:30 p.m. - meet and mingle with members of the Parent Assocation!

Carr will discuss dangers and pitfalls students face when sharing information online. Topics to be covered include identity theft, problems with networking online and what can parents do to help students stay safe and informed.

The series is sponsored by UNM’s Dean of Students’ Family Connection Program, Parent Relations Office and Parent Association and Extended University. Parking is $1.75 per hour in the Cornell Parking Struture near Central and Cornell NE. To get to the Student Services Center (SSC) from the Cornell Parking Structure walk north on Cornell Mall. Pass by Popejoy Hall and the Student Union (SUB). At the SUB’s north end, go east to the SSC.

To view taped editions of past workshops, visit our workshop information and archive page.

Now that many students are headed home for summer, UNM Residence Life/Student Housing is busy making positive changes to student housing on campus.

“We are continuing our efforts to make visible changes in our residence halls to better serve our students,” said Director of Residence Life and Student Housing Patrick Call.

Residence Life plans to spend $4.8 million to expand the quality and visual appeal of various residence hall facilities for students living on campus.

The department plans to focus spending on building renovations, upgrades, and landscaping initiatives specifically selected to enhance life‐safety and increase student satisfaction. (more…)

UNM’s Spring Break for 2009 is March 15 – 22. Many students choose to stay on campus to work and study, while others visit out‐of‐town family or head for a vacation destination. Due to our proximity to Mexico, I feel it’s prudent to alert parents that the U.S. State Department has issued a travel alert aimed at U.S. citizens traveling to and living in Mexico. The alert is in effect from Oct. 2008 through Aug. 2009. 

“While millions of U.S. citizens safely visit Mexico each year (including thousands who cross the land border every day for study, tourism or business), violence in the country has increased recently,” according to the alert, updated daily on the State Department Web site. “It is imperative that travelers understand the risks of travel to Mexico, how best to avoid dangerous situations, and whom to contact if one becomes a crime victim. Encourage your student read the alert.”

Laurie Mellas
UNM Parent Relations Office

“Once again, a senseless tragedy on a university campus reminds us of the fragility of our time here. Our thoughts and prayers are with the students, faculty and staff at Northern Illinois University,” wrote President David Schmidly in his weekly address. The sentiments were sent via email to all students, staff and faculty Feb. 18. 

“Life has irrevocably changed for them. I’ve sent NIU’s president a message expressing UNM’s condolences and support,” he said.
“What happened last week in Illinois reminds us again that we must continue to work at being prepared for emergencies on campus.”

The president has instructed UNM’s Chief of Police and members of the Emergency Operations Center to implement a campus‐wide drill in the next few days. 

“For your own understanding of the process and your peace of mind, I urge you to participate in the drill,” Schmidly said.

The president also urged students and employees to sign up for the TextMe campus‐wide emergency notification system by visting http://my.unm.edu or the emergency notification system link on the homepage. Students have the option to sign up parents or other family for the service.

An evaluation of safety and emergency notification practices underway at UNM heightened in the aftermath of the Virginia Tech tragedy. Students, parents, faculty and staff have posed the difficult question: Is UNM ready to cope if the unthinkable happens here?

The university has its own police force, fire marshal and emergency manager. About 100 additional staff across campus train to respond during critical incidents, said Police Chief Kathy Guimond. A comprehensive emergency management plan governs campus. University officials work closely with local, state and federal agencies.

The very nature of colleges and universities – with significant student turnover each year – requires continuous training about campus safety. A FEMA‐certified team of high‐level staff conducts drills. They are on‐call ²⁴⁄₇ to staff an Emergency Operation Center (EOC). An Emergency Management Committee meets and makes recommendations to acting President David Harris

“UNM has a real commitment to emergency preparedness,” Guimond said. “We conduct announced and unannounced drills, and we’ve had actual EOC activations.”

UNM uses repetitive forms of communication during an emergency, including the UNM e‐mail alert, which goes to 40,000 across campus. Guimond says the university was able to quickly implement text messaging capabilities this week because it was in the process of purchasing a system. UNM contracted with e2Campus, which as the ability to send time‐sensitive messages to students, faculty, staff and parents or other designates. Alerts can be sent to cell phones, e‐mails, pagers and web pages. UNM subscribers will be allowed to enter up to two cell telephone numbers and two e‐mail addresses.

Students can sign up at TextMe UNM.